Cable vs. Satellite: Which TV provider makes the most sense for you?
Sunday, February 19, 2006
By Tim McNulty, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There is little relief ahead in the long cold journey through the last couple months of winter. No national holidays until the end of May. A daily slog of cold weather, darkness, snow and rain. Even more time indoors.
Beyond Basic TV
The cheapest way to watch TV is still with old-fashioned antennas or with basic analog cable, which costs about $12 per month from Comcast. Those wanting more -- such as integrated digital video recorders and hundreds of channels -- have to go to satellite or digital cable TV.
Pay-TV providers are constantly offering new deals in the fight for subscribers. A glimpse at some digital cable and satellite costs is below, but check with the companies or local dealers for the latest offers.
Start-up costs
1. Dish: Free installation with 18-month commitment.
2. Comcast: Free installation.
3. DirecTV: Free with 12-month commitment.
Monthly fee -- budget tier
1. Dish: 60 channels, $34.99 (with local channels).
2. Comcast: 135 channels, $63.44 monthly.
3. DirecTV: 95 channels (not including radio channels), $44.99 monthly (as of March 1).
Monthly fee -- top tier
1. Dish: 230 channels, $89.99 monthly.
2. Comcast: 250 channels, $101.99 monthly.
3. DirectTV: 250 channels, $99.99 monthly.
DVR upgrade cost
1. Dish: Free at installation, $5.98 monthly.
2. Comcast: Free at installation, $9.95 monthly.
3. DirecTV: Free at installation, $5.99 monthly.
HD upgrade cost
1. Dish: $49.99 for HD receiver or $299 for HD DVR.
2. Comcast: Free upgrade.
3. DirecTV: Prices vary, but HD receivers/satellites start around $200.
Internet
1. Dish: No Internet services.
2. Comcast: Yes, $42.95 monthly (for current subscribers).
3. DirecTV: Yes, Bundled service with Verizon and other local phone providers.
-- Tim McNulty
One could use this time learning French, reading Shakespeare or buffing oneself into an ab-crunching hot body, but there is another pathway to personal growth: getting a better pay-TV package.
Cable and satellite TV companies are at each other's throats battling for viewers, which means good deals for first-time customers, a wave of new technologies (such as high-definition programming, digital video recording and on-demand video), and an advertising war among the pay-TV providers.
All of that crossfire can also mystify the average consumer. Short of getting free programming from over-the-air TV or paying $12 monthly for analog cable -- options which offer limited numbers of channels -- there is a lot to learn for first-time entrants into the satellite and digital-cable worlds.
Satellite subscriptions are on average a bit cheaper than digital cable service (currently about $40 monthly for satellite to $63 for digital cable), but start-up costs for satellite can be much more. Deals are usually available that trade free satellite hardware for a sign-up commitment of a year or more.
It has been common for satellite to provide more channels than cable, though digital cable is catching up.
Both kinds of services can be interrupted by bad weather, which is always an issue in Pennsylvania, especially this time of year. Generally, satellite service goes out more often, when wind or rain disrupts the satellite's placement or aim. But when cable service -- which depends on utility lines -- is interrupted, it usually stays down longer.
Cable gets more local channels than satellite, but the latter allows more international and national flavor.
Regional restrictions are also an issue, though they are fading away. Cable used to have a limited reach, making satellite the only option for many pay-TV consumers, especially in rural communities. Lately, cable has become more widespread, giving consumers more choices. On the flip side, satellite viewers must have an unobstructed view of the southern horizon to receive signals, which can sometimes be a problem in condominium projects and other crowded places.
There are also similarities between the products. Both cable and satellite are racing to add more HD channels and provide TiVo-like digital video recorders (DVRs). Cable is ahead on on-demand services -- which allow users to buy a la carte programming, stop and rewind and fast-forward it, just like a videotape -- but satellite is trying to catch up there, too.
In the city of Pittsburgh, where customers can choose among Comcast (the dominant cable provider in Western Pennsylvania) and two satellite providers -- the Dish network and DirecTV -- choices can turn on tiny things.
Escalating cable fees turned off Alex Moser, 33, so five years ago he switched to the Dish network. He got one of the first DVRs and more than 120 channels and says he has experienced few weather-related problems. (The East Liberty man, who is the creative services manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, said the satellite fritzes mostly in high winds, not snow or rain.)
Mr. Moser cannot get local, public-access-type cable stations ("I miss it if I want to be a nerd and watch City Council," he says) but gets most other local programming. And while cable changes the stations' traditional numbers (KDKA-TV Channel 2 broadcasts on Comcast's channel 6, for instance), the numbers are old-school on satellite.
"They use the actual numbers -- it's great, I love that," Mr. Moser says. "Not to sound like an idiot but that makes it cool. Why make it more difficult?"
In a nationwide survey of satellite and cable users Consumer Reports published in November, satellite scored a few points ahead of cable in every category, from overall satisfaction (79 percent to digital cable's 71) to other categories on pricing, picture quality and programming.
The Consumer Reports survey also addressed the reliability of both services, which is a sore spot in the industry. Thirty-one percent of satellite subscribers reported instances of misaligned satellites and 12 percent snow and ice buildup problems. Seventeen percent of digital cable users reported service losses that lasted a day or longer, to 11 percent of satellite users.
Cable looks to be making up the most ground with technology, and it may also be easier to deal with for tech-challenged consumers who don't want to worry about investing in new hardware, as is often the case with satellite.
Besides offering cable boxes integrated with DVRs -- allowing customers to have TiVo-like recording without buying an extra component -- Comcast's digital service is also simpler to use when making the switch to high-definition TV.
Cable users with HD televisions need only to get a HD-capable cable box to access the high-quality picture, whereas satellite users need an HD receiver and an upgraded or brand-new dish. They may also need a satellite antenna to get local HD channels. The satellite companies offer deals to take out some of the sting from HD upgrades, but there are still bigger hardware headaches than with cable.
Other tech upgrades are on the way, from all three providers. Comcast is making a huge push on interactive On Demand programming, offering many movies and local programming for free. Cable can also be bundled easily with phone and Internet service, over the same wires.
Dish offers PocketDISH, portable devices that download up to 40 hours of TV programming from Dish receivers, as well as music, photos and games.
DirecTV has a deal with NBC for pay-per-view programming, and new set top boxes and satellites are supposed to allow viewing of more than 1,500 local and 150 national HD channels by the end of next year.
Now is a good time of year to cross-train the remote control muscles.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
By Tim McNulty, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There is little relief ahead in the long cold journey through the last couple months of winter. No national holidays until the end of May. A daily slog of cold weather, darkness, snow and rain. Even more time indoors.
Beyond Basic TV
The cheapest way to watch TV is still with old-fashioned antennas or with basic analog cable, which costs about $12 per month from Comcast. Those wanting more -- such as integrated digital video recorders and hundreds of channels -- have to go to satellite or digital cable TV.
Pay-TV providers are constantly offering new deals in the fight for subscribers. A glimpse at some digital cable and satellite costs is below, but check with the companies or local dealers for the latest offers.
Start-up costs
1. Dish: Free installation with 18-month commitment.
2. Comcast: Free installation.
3. DirecTV: Free with 12-month commitment.
Monthly fee -- budget tier
1. Dish: 60 channels, $34.99 (with local channels).
2. Comcast: 135 channels, $63.44 monthly.
3. DirecTV: 95 channels (not including radio channels), $44.99 monthly (as of March 1).
Monthly fee -- top tier
1. Dish: 230 channels, $89.99 monthly.
2. Comcast: 250 channels, $101.99 monthly.
3. DirectTV: 250 channels, $99.99 monthly.
DVR upgrade cost
1. Dish: Free at installation, $5.98 monthly.
2. Comcast: Free at installation, $9.95 monthly.
3. DirecTV: Free at installation, $5.99 monthly.
HD upgrade cost
1. Dish: $49.99 for HD receiver or $299 for HD DVR.
2. Comcast: Free upgrade.
3. DirecTV: Prices vary, but HD receivers/satellites start around $200.
Internet
1. Dish: No Internet services.
2. Comcast: Yes, $42.95 monthly (for current subscribers).
3. DirecTV: Yes, Bundled service with Verizon and other local phone providers.
-- Tim McNulty
One could use this time learning French, reading Shakespeare or buffing oneself into an ab-crunching hot body, but there is another pathway to personal growth: getting a better pay-TV package.
Cable and satellite TV companies are at each other's throats battling for viewers, which means good deals for first-time customers, a wave of new technologies (such as high-definition programming, digital video recording and on-demand video), and an advertising war among the pay-TV providers.
All of that crossfire can also mystify the average consumer. Short of getting free programming from over-the-air TV or paying $12 monthly for analog cable -- options which offer limited numbers of channels -- there is a lot to learn for first-time entrants into the satellite and digital-cable worlds.
Satellite subscriptions are on average a bit cheaper than digital cable service (currently about $40 monthly for satellite to $63 for digital cable), but start-up costs for satellite can be much more. Deals are usually available that trade free satellite hardware for a sign-up commitment of a year or more.
It has been common for satellite to provide more channels than cable, though digital cable is catching up.
Both kinds of services can be interrupted by bad weather, which is always an issue in Pennsylvania, especially this time of year. Generally, satellite service goes out more often, when wind or rain disrupts the satellite's placement or aim. But when cable service -- which depends on utility lines -- is interrupted, it usually stays down longer.
Cable gets more local channels than satellite, but the latter allows more international and national flavor.
Regional restrictions are also an issue, though they are fading away. Cable used to have a limited reach, making satellite the only option for many pay-TV consumers, especially in rural communities. Lately, cable has become more widespread, giving consumers more choices. On the flip side, satellite viewers must have an unobstructed view of the southern horizon to receive signals, which can sometimes be a problem in condominium projects and other crowded places.
There are also similarities between the products. Both cable and satellite are racing to add more HD channels and provide TiVo-like digital video recorders (DVRs). Cable is ahead on on-demand services -- which allow users to buy a la carte programming, stop and rewind and fast-forward it, just like a videotape -- but satellite is trying to catch up there, too.
In the city of Pittsburgh, where customers can choose among Comcast (the dominant cable provider in Western Pennsylvania) and two satellite providers -- the Dish network and DirecTV -- choices can turn on tiny things.
Escalating cable fees turned off Alex Moser, 33, so five years ago he switched to the Dish network. He got one of the first DVRs and more than 120 channels and says he has experienced few weather-related problems. (The East Liberty man, who is the creative services manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, said the satellite fritzes mostly in high winds, not snow or rain.)
Mr. Moser cannot get local, public-access-type cable stations ("I miss it if I want to be a nerd and watch City Council," he says) but gets most other local programming. And while cable changes the stations' traditional numbers (KDKA-TV Channel 2 broadcasts on Comcast's channel 6, for instance), the numbers are old-school on satellite.
"They use the actual numbers -- it's great, I love that," Mr. Moser says. "Not to sound like an idiot but that makes it cool. Why make it more difficult?"
In a nationwide survey of satellite and cable users Consumer Reports published in November, satellite scored a few points ahead of cable in every category, from overall satisfaction (79 percent to digital cable's 71) to other categories on pricing, picture quality and programming.
The Consumer Reports survey also addressed the reliability of both services, which is a sore spot in the industry. Thirty-one percent of satellite subscribers reported instances of misaligned satellites and 12 percent snow and ice buildup problems. Seventeen percent of digital cable users reported service losses that lasted a day or longer, to 11 percent of satellite users.
Cable looks to be making up the most ground with technology, and it may also be easier to deal with for tech-challenged consumers who don't want to worry about investing in new hardware, as is often the case with satellite.
Besides offering cable boxes integrated with DVRs -- allowing customers to have TiVo-like recording without buying an extra component -- Comcast's digital service is also simpler to use when making the switch to high-definition TV.
Cable users with HD televisions need only to get a HD-capable cable box to access the high-quality picture, whereas satellite users need an HD receiver and an upgraded or brand-new dish. They may also need a satellite antenna to get local HD channels. The satellite companies offer deals to take out some of the sting from HD upgrades, but there are still bigger hardware headaches than with cable.
Other tech upgrades are on the way, from all three providers. Comcast is making a huge push on interactive On Demand programming, offering many movies and local programming for free. Cable can also be bundled easily with phone and Internet service, over the same wires.
Dish offers PocketDISH, portable devices that download up to 40 hours of TV programming from Dish receivers, as well as music, photos and games.
DirecTV has a deal with NBC for pay-per-view programming, and new set top boxes and satellites are supposed to allow viewing of more than 1,500 local and 150 national HD channels by the end of next year.
Now is a good time of year to cross-train the remote control muscles.
